Mother’s Day – Elizabeth Rachael Holden (Boles)

Elizabeth Holden Boles Age 19 (My Paternal Grandmother)

With Mother’s Day this Sunday, May 12th, I thought I would honor some of the mother’s from my heritage.

“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God is giving you.” (Exodus 20:12 NKJV)

I would like you to meet my Paternal Grandmother – Elizabeth Rachael Holden (Boles). She married Wesley W. Boles on 13 May 1877, in Hancock County, Indiana. Together they had eleven children, of which, my father, Harry Otto Boles was their eigth child. (3 Feb 1894).

Rachel Elizabeth Holden was born 01 Feb 1856 in Harrison, Ohio/Indiana, and the Holdens lived there most of her whole life. The state line between Indiana and Ohio changed several times, but most of the time, that area was considered in Indiana. Her parents had thirteen children, and she was number five.

Wesley Boles Age 20 – (Paternal Grandfather)

When she was 21 years old, she married my grandfather, Wesley Wilbur Boles on 13 May 1877, in Hancock, Indiana. They show up in the 1880, 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930, censuses, and in Spencer, Indiana in 1940. During that time, starting in 1878, their 11 children began arriving on the scene.

Their first child, Edward only lived from 02 Jul 1878 – 20 Feb 1880. Living less than 2 years. Most of the rest of my Uncles and Aunt lived very long lives.

Edward Boles 1878-1880
Wiley Emerson 1879-1979
Ora 1881-1961
Alonzo Raymond 1883-1955
Charles Owen 1885-1965
John Abram 1888-1973 (Became an actor – John A Boles)
Walter 1890-1968
Harry Otto 1894-1947 (My Father)
Goldie Mae 1896-1973 (Only girl among 10 boys)
George Dewey 1898-1967
Wilbur Walter 1901-1987

At one time, my two half sisters lived with my grandparents, and showed up there in the 1930 Census. They, my grandparents, were 74, and Charlotte and Elsie were 9 and 7 years old. My grandmother was very good to them. My sister, Charlotte had mentioned living on the farm with them in Owen County, Indiana.

My grandmother, Elizabeth Rachel Holden (Boles) died 21 Mar 1942, before I was born in 1943. I never had the privilege of knowing my grandmother Elizabeth Rachel, or Rachel Elizabeth as she also was called. Yet, one day, I trust I will meet her in heaven.